Westminster Hall debates: 13 June 2012
14 June 2012 (updated on 14 June 2012)
Westminster Hall debates provide MPs with an opportunity to debate local or national issues and to receive a response from a government Minister
Westminster Hall debates
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays there are two one and a half hour debates and three half hour debates. The longer debates are intended for broader subjects where a number of MPs will want to speak. The shorter debates may focus on an issue that an MP may want to raise about their constituency.
Two ballots are held on the Wednesday of the previous week for each type of debate; MPs may enter into both ballots but can only be successful in one.
Each government department responds to the debates every other week according to a rota.
The Chair is taken by a member of the Panel of Chairs, with the same duties and powers conferred on Deputy Speakers.
Westminster Hall debates: 13 June 2012
Five debates were held in Westminster Hall. Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the debates via the links to Parliament TV and Commons Hansard. Also, find more information about current parliamentary material in the Topics section on the Parliament website.
9.30-11.00am Free school meals, colleges
David Blunkett, Labour MP for Sheffield, Brightside and Hillsborough, moved a debate on free school meals which received an answer from the Minister of State for Schools, Nick Gibb.
11.00-11.30am Undercover policing
Caroline Lucas, Green Party MP for Brighton Pavilion, moved a debate on undercover policing which received an answer from the Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Nick Herbert.
2.30-4.00pm Sustainable communities
Andrew George, Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, moved a debate on sustainable communities which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department for Communities and Local Government, Greg Clark.
- Parliament TV: Sustainable communities
- Commons Hansard: Sustainable communities
- Topics: Communities and families
4.00-4.30pm Bilateral trade, Israel
Graham Evans, Conservative MP for Weaver Vale, moved a debate on Bilateral Trade with Israel which received an answer from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Alistair Burt.
- Parliament TV: Bilateral trade, Israel
- Commons Hansard: Bilateral trade, Israel
- Topics: International affairs
4.30-5.00pm Railways, Kettering
Philip Hollobone, Conservative MP for Kettering moved a debate on railways which received an answer from the Minister of State, Department of Transport, Theresa Villiers.
Westminster Hall debates
Westminster Hall adjournment debates allow MPs to discuss issues of local or personal interest which rarely have time to be debated in the main Chamber of the House of Commons. MPs can discuss a variety of issues and receive a response from a government Minister.